The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Background:

1. Paul had become quite controversial in Corinth after his two year visit and departure to Ephesus.

2. While in Ephesus on his third missionary journey, Paul was forced to make an unscheduled visit to Corinth to deal with a painful situation (v. 2:1).  Paul was being slandered and false accusations were made against him and had come to a boiling point causing disruption in the church fellowship.  We deduce this from how Paul defends himself in chapter 1 and from things said in the rest of the letter (conflict seems to follow Paul around – 1:8; he makes fickel plans – 1:17; his word is untrustworthy, yes means no and no means yes in what he says – 1:17; he acted like a dictator lording it over his subjects – 1:24)

3. After this painful visit, trouble in Corinth continued.  Things weren’t resolved.  So, instead of going to Corinth on his way to Macedonia, as had been planned (v. 1:15), he wrote a letter addressing the whole situation once again.  It was sent it to the congregation through Titus (inferred from chapter 2:13 and 7:6).

2:1 For I decided this for myself, not to come to you again in sorrow. 2For if I grieve you, who is to make me glad?  Certainly not the ones grieving because of me. 3 This is the very reason I wrote to you, so that when I came I would not have to experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, having confidence in you that all of you are my joy.  4 It was out of great distress and anguish of heart that I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you would have sorrow but so that you may know the love that I have, especially for you.

5 But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure, so as not to say too much, to all of you.  6 Sufficient for such a person is the punishment inflicted by the majority. 7 So then you all should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise he might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  8 Therefore I appeal to you to reaffirm your love for him.  9 For to this end also I wrote, that I might know your proven character, that you are obedient in all things. 10 And whoever you have forgiven anything, I also.  For I also, whatever has been forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I have done so for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be exploited by Satan.  For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

A Pastor’s Pain and Compassion

The word sorrow / grief used in these two paragraphs means “to cause severe mental or emotional distress”.  It is to irritate, offend, or insult someone and cause them to experience distress and sadness.  Paul recognized that at his last visit with them, he and they both experience this kind of grief.  He made up his mind not to have another visit like that again.  Instead, he wrote them a serious letter to be delivered by Titus.

We do not know the content of the letter and can only speculate what it might have said based on the few references found in 2 Corinthians.  Apparently one individual was at the center of the disturbance.  The controversy was against Paul.  This one individual was disrupting peace and fellowship in the church with his opposition to Paul.  In the letter, Paul demanded that the church deal seriously with the disruption and discipline the one causing the problems.  The letter was not intended to be a scolding or in any way vindictive.  He did not write to them in order to cause distress or grief but Paul says in verse 4, “It was out of great distress and anguish of heart that I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you would have sorrow but so that you may know the love that I have, especially for you.”  The situation in Corinth was breaking Paul’s heart.

Titus left for Corinth with the letter and Paul left for Macedonia travelling north over land through Troas.  From what we can tell, Paul made plans to reconnect with Titus in Troas and learn the outcome of how the Corinthian’s responded to Paul’s letter.  But Titas was delayed in coming.  In 2 Corinthians 2:12–13 (ESV) we read,

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So, I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

So, while in Troas, Paul became anxious wanting to know what was happening in Corinth.  But Titus did not meet Paul as expected.  Even though a great ministry opportunity opened up in Troas to preach the gospel, Paul left and continue on to Macedonia.  The sooner he finished collecting the offering for the church in Jerusalem from the churches in Macedonia, the sooner he could go south, back to Corinth and find out for himself what was happening.

            A little jump ahead and we learn in 2 Corinthians 7, that Titus finally met up with Paul in Macedonia.  2 Corinthians 7:5–7 (ESV) says,

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

We will learn more about Titus and how the Corinthians responded to Paul’s letter, especially when we get to chapter 7.  What stands out in these verses is the honesty and commitment Paul has with this church.

1. Paul writes with tears – not to grieve, but to express love.

2. Leaderhip in the church must be compassionate, not harsh.

3. Real love sometimes causes pain, but it seeks healing.

Discipline With a Redemptive Purpose

5 But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure, so as not to say too much, to all of you.  6 Sufficient for such a person is the punishment inflicted by the majority. 7 So then you all should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise he might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  8 Therefore I appeal to you to reaffirm your love for him.

Paul’s first concern is for the well-being of the church family and for the individual who caused all the trouble.  The man created a lot of problems, especially for Paul, and yet Paul says “If anyone has caused sorrow, he hasn’t caused it to me but more to all of you.  Paul doesn’t hold a grudge against this person, yet he recognizes all the trouble, strife and conflict the man brought upon the congregation.  The offender caused pain to the whole body, not just to Paul 

But “sufficient for such a person” is the punishment he received from the majority.  They received Paul’s letter and apparently it had an effect.  After receiving Paul’s letter, the church disciplined the man.  Effective church discipline involves confronting the guilty with their sin and requiring the individual to repent and make things right.  It may involve inflicting some form of punishment.  This could include removal from any position of leadership in the church.  And as a last and severe resort, remove the individual from fellowship in the congregation – treat the person as an unbeliever who is not invited any longer to church family-dinner type events. Most likely the man was publicly disciplined and and excommunicated.

We don’t know what the specifics of the punishment, but Paul says that whatever was done, it was sufficient.  Now it is time to forgive and restore.  Many today when they face church discipline or are confronted about their bad behavior simply move on and go to a different church.  Unlike today, it is doubtful the offender had the option of going down the street to attend a different congregation.  There weren’t other denominations an individual could run to.  To this man’s credit, he didn’t leave town or walk away from the church.  Instead, he felt remorse and sadness.  I think this indicates a measure of repentance on the man’s part and Paul is concerned for this man as a brother in Christ.  He calls the church to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love for him.

Paul sets the example for the church to follow.  He doesn’t hold a grudge against the man and the church shouldn’t either.  The one who stirred up trouble against Paul and brought distress and conflict into the congregation needs to be forgiven and restored less he become overwhelmed with excessive sorrow and grief.  In all our dealings with one another, forgiveness and restoration should be a top priority in the church.  God has forgiven us and we ought to forgive one another. 

The Power of Forgiveness

9 For to this end also I wrote, that I might know your proven character, that you are obedient in all things. 10 And whoever you have forgiven anything, I also.  For I also, whatever has been forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I have done so for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be exploited by Satan.  For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Forgiveness is both a test of obedience and a guard against Satan’s schemes.  Paul’s letter must have laid out a specific course of action for the church to follow and once and for all deal with the problem that had been festering for a long time.  Their obedience was a measure of their devotion to God and their loyalty to Paul.  And now honest forgiveness and restoration of the offender will show that God’s love at work in their life is genuine.

            Unforgiveness is a tool the enemy (Satan) uses to isolate and destroy.  Many a church has split or closed its doors because people held on to past offenses and wouldn’t forgive.  This is a powerful scheme the devil uses to exploit those in the church.  Jealousy and offenses create grudges that the enemy uses to drive people apart and destroy the love and fellowship within the church.

            When we withhold mercy we align ourselves with darkness and Satan has an open door to ruin a church families good name and witness for Christ.  Forgiveness and love protects the unity of the body of Christ.

We can learn from Paul and how he responded when offended, especially when offended by someone in the church or our family or even in our place of work.

1. Is there someone you need to forgive, not just in word but in action?

2. Are you holding on to past offenses that are giving the enemy a foothold?

3. Can you be like Paul and become the one to initiate healing?

Let’s bow in prayer…

Colossians 3:12-14 says,

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

“Father, show us any places in our hearts where we are holding on to a grudge or are withholding forgiveness from anyone.  Give us hearts of compassion, love and obedience so that in all our relationships we honor you and your word.”